Cancer diagnosis led to so many opportunities for Caerphilly woman

Cath Jones tells Cathy Owen what’s she’s doing to say thank you to Tenovus for the help they gave her during her darkest days

Cath Jones from Caerphilly was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2013

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Losing 5st on a diet quite literally saved Cath Jones’ life. The weight loss meant the 40-year-old was able to feel the lump that turned out to be breast cancer.

“I decided it was time to lose some weight and went on the Cambridge diet. By the end of 2012, I had lost about 5st. If I hadn’t lost the weight, then I wouldn’t have found the lump,” explains the former teacher from Caerphilly.

“When I found the lump I went straight to the doctor, but was initially misdiagnosed. I went to the GP who told me it was nothing to worry about and I should just keep an eye on it. But I was worried and was thinking about going for a private consultation when someone suggested I tried a different GP. I did that and she referred me. Two weeks later I was at the hospital and breast cancer was diagnosed.

“Nothing can prepare you for that sort of news, but I am very much of the feeling that you should expect the worse and then everything else is a bonus. From the start I decided to turn it into a positive and I was determined not to define myself as a cancer patient.”

It is the sort of attitude Cath has maintained since that diagnosis in January last year and throughout her operation and chemotherapy treatment.

Now she is determined to give something back for the help and support she received.

One of the organisations which will benefit from Cath’s determination is Tenovus’ Mobile Cancer Support Unit.

Using it meant she could be treated closer to home, avoiding long and often stressful and expensive trips to and from hospital.

“I am lucky because I live in South Wales and so the mobile support unit was based very close to my home, meaning no long journeys,” she said.

“If I had lived in Mid-Wales I would have been looking at a two-and-a-half-hour round trip to go for treatment.”

This is one of the many reasons why she is now so keen to raise awareness and money for the South Wales-based cancer charity.

She has joined her local Sing With Us choir in Cardiff, one of 12 choirs run by the charity which support anyone affected by cancer. Cath also volunteers for as a fundraiser and is a keen walker with her dog.

Last year, she wasn’t well enough to take part in the charity’s first 10-mile Goodnight Wales because it was only a few days after her first course of chemotherapy treatment finished, but her sister Sarah Rowe and some friends took part on her behalf.

But her treatment finished last summer so she is determined to do it this year.

“I’m walking for myself and for Tenovus. Last year it was two days after treatment, so I couldn’t take part last year. I had wanted to do an abseil for the charity the day after a treatment but the nurses wouldn’t let me.

“This year, I’m more determined than ever to not only take part to prove to myself that I can do it, but to say thank you to Tenovus for all the support and encouragement and amazing experiences I have had.

“Now I’ve completed treatment I’m enjoying life, reminding myself daily how lucky I am. I have received the best care and support and gained fabulous new friends.

“I thank Tenovus, and urge everyone to do whatever you can to support the work of this amazing charity. At New Year people said to me that I must be glad to see the back of 2013, but really I have had so many opportunities arise that I would never have experienced had I not had the diagnosis.”